Other Sports The MLB lockout thread - Page 4

Deberg_1990 · 12-02-2021, 07:06 AM

Discussssss

To our Fans:

I first want to thank you for your continued support of the great game of baseball. This past season, we were reminded of how the national pastime can bring us together and restore our hope despite the difficult challenges of a global pandemic. As we began to emerge from one of the darkest periods in our history, our ballparks were filled with fans; the games were filled with excitement; and millions of families felt the joy of watching baseball together.

That is why I am so disappointed about the situation in which our game finds itself today. Despite the league’s best efforts to make a deal with the Players Association, we were unable to extend our 26 year-long history of labor peace and come to an agreement with the MLBPA before the current CBA expired. Therefore, we have been forced to commence a lockout of Major League players, effective at 12:01am ET on December 2.

I want to explain to you how we got here and why we have to take this action today. Simply put, we believe that an offseason lockout is the best mechanism to protect the 2022 season. We hope that the lockout will jumpstart the negotiations and get us to an agreement that will allow the season to start on time. This defensive lockout was necessary because the Players Association’s vision for Major League Baseball would threaten the ability of most teams to be competitive. It’s simply not a viable option. From the beginning, the MLBPA has been unwilling to move from their starting position, compromise, or collaborate on solutions.

When we began negotiations over a new agreement, the Players Association already had a contract that they wouldn’t trade for any other in sports. Baseball’s players have no salary cap and are not subjected to a maximum length or dollar amount on contracts. In fact, only MLB has guaranteed contracts that run 10 or more years, and in excess of $300 million. We have not proposed anything that would change these fundamentals. While we have heard repeatedly that free agency is “broken” – in the month of November $1.7 billion was committed to free agents, smashing the prior record by nearly 4x. By the end of the offseason, Clubs will have committed more money to players than in any offseason in MLB history.

We worked hard to find compromise while making the system even better for players, by addressing concerns raised by the Players Association. We offered to establish a minimum payroll for all clubs to meet for the first time in baseball history; to allow the majority of players to reach free agency earlier through an age-based system that would eliminate any claims of service time manipulation; and to increase compensation for all young players, including increases in the minimum salary. When negotiations lacked momentum, we tried to create some by offering to accept the universal Designated Hitter, to create a new draft system using a lottery similar to other leagues, and to increase the Competitive Balance Tax threshold that affects only a small number of teams.

We have had challenges before with respect to making labor agreements and have overcome those challenges every single time during my tenure. Regrettably, it appears the Players Association came to the bargaining table with a strategy of confrontation over compromise. They never wavered from collectively the most extreme set of proposals in their history, including significant cuts to the revenue-sharing system, a weakening of the competitive balance tax, and shortening the period of time that players play for their teams. All of these changes would make our game less competitive, not more.

To be clear: this hard but important step does not necessarily mean games will be cancelled. In fact, we are taking this step now because it accelerates the urgency for an agreement with as much runway as possible to avoid doing damage to the 2022 season. Delaying this process further would only put Spring Training, Opening Day, and the rest of the season further at risk – and we cannot allow an expired agreement to again cause an in-season strike and a missed World Series, like we experienced in 1994. We all owe you, our fans, better than that.

Today is a difficult day for baseball, but as I have said all year, there is a path to a fair agreement, and we will find it. I do not doubt the League and the Players share a fundamental appreciation for this game and a commitment to its fans. I remain optimistic that both sides will seize the opportunity to work together to grow, protect, and strengthen the game we love. MLB is ready to work around the clock to meet that goal. I urge the Players Association to join us at the table.
Manfred

Read a letter from the Commissioner: https://t.co/P4gRGSlfsu pic.twitter.com/zI40uGLTni
— MLB (@MLB) December 2, 2021

Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/34uIGf762W
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) December 2, 2021

BigBeauford · 12-02-2021, 10:57 AM

This ain't pre-2000. There are about 100 activities you could be doing these days far better than watching a baseball game. The sport only shines in the post season.

ChiefsCountry · 12-02-2021, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

They'll figure it out.

Owners aren't looking for a hard cap and players aren't looking for a significant change in FA rules. So the two things that could implode the whole smash aren't even on the table.

Meanwhile there was enough of a warning period that most of the major FAs have already signed so winter meetings weren't even necessary.

Much ado about nothing.

Pretty much how I see it as well. This just more of a formality that will get taken care of.

Coochie liquor · 12-02-2021, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A.P.

Gun to your head: must watch one. Golf, soccer, baseball.

Soccer!!

Deberg_1990 · 12-02-2021, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

This ain't pre-2000. There are about 100 activities you could be doing these days far better than watching a baseball game. The sport only shines in the post season.

While I don’t agree it only shines in the postseason, I do agree there are far too many games.

Very low stakes some random game April to July.

Mama Hip Rockets · 12-02-2021, 12:37 PM

Imagine having that many billion dollars and not being able to figure out a way to divide them.

WarChiefs89 · 12-02-2021, 12:38 PM

Someone in politics should steal the speech writer from the Commish. The statement issued is actually pretty persuasive. The amount MLB players can get paid on a guaranteed level is kind of crazy when you think about it. Much better for the players than NFL contracts that have short guarantees...

This will get hammered out soon IMO. Too much $$$ involved for these MLB guys to forgo it. And the ones that aren't making big $$$ need that year of service time to keep going in order to get closer to the big payday.

FloridaMan88 · 12-02-2021, 12:40 PM

The fact that the NFL Hall of Fame Game... a preseason game... gets comparable TV ratings to World Series games says everything about how irrelevant baseball has become.

BIG_DADDY · 12-02-2021, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

This ain't pre-2000. There are about 100 activities you could be doing these days far better than watching a baseball game. The sport only shines in the post season.

Yea, like getting your 20th booster shot just like BB.

In all seriousness, with the positions many leagues have taken in pro sports I have watched zero baseball last year and zero basketball since Queen James went to the Lakers. I still watch my Chiefs every week along with pieces of a few other good games when I'm cooking. That's about it though.

MarkDavis'Haircut · 12-02-2021, 12:51 PM

As a Pirates fan, baseball is pretty much unwatchable. If they want to play dumb over billions of dollars, so be it. I will find other ways to use my time.

All parties are awful in this spat but the MLBPA is easily the worst union in sports. They don't understand the concept of compromise.

FloridaMan88 · 12-02-2021, 12:53 PM

When was the last time anyone here watched a regular season baseball game from start to finish on TV?

It's completely unwatchable for a variety of reasons.

Mama Hip Rockets · 12-02-2021, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

When was the last time anyone here watched a regular season baseball game from start to finish on TV?

It's completely unwatchable for a variety of reasons.

Tons of people on this board watch the Royals pretty much every day. I'd assume that's true of the Cardinals as well. WTF are you talking about?

scho63 · 12-02-2021, 02:31 PM

FloridaMan88 · 12-02-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mama Hip Rockets

Tons of people on this board watch the Royals pretty much every day. I'd assume that's true of the Cardinals as well. WTF are you talking about?

That’s a super small minority of people that watch regular season baseball games on TV.

WTF are YOU talking about with “tons of people”?

Matlock reruns get higher TV ratings than regular season baseball games.

jettio · 12-02-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carr4MVP

As a Pirates fan, baseball is pretty much unwatchable. If they want to play dumb over billions of dollars, so be it. I will find other ways to use my time.

All parties are awful in this spat but the MLBPA is easily the worst union in sports. They don't understand the concept of compromise.

Baseball players were exploited for a long time.

The reason there is more disparity in MLB has more to do with the wealthier teams wanting to have an advantage over the less wealthy teams.

David Glass and a couple other owners had a much harder job getting other owners to compromise on competitive balance measures than they did getting MLBPA to agree to things that would aid competitive balance.

MLBPA is not the only entity opposed to a hard cap. Look how much money the Dodgers spend to make the playoffs every year and win 1 World Series.

kstater · 12-02-2021, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

When was the last time anyone here watched a regular season baseball game from start to finish on TV?

It's completely unwatchable for a variety of reasons.

I watch about 150 a year

The royals average about 40k a night. Without looking it up, I'd almost guarantee you Matlock doesn't average 40k a night in KC
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12-02-2021, 07:06 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $124454	The MLB lockout thread Discussssss To our Fans: I first want to thank you for your continued support of the great game of baseball. This past season, we were reminded of how the national pastime can bring us together and restore our hope despite the difficult challenges of a global pandemic. As we began to emerge from one of the darkest periods in our history, our ballparks were filled with fans; the games were filled with excitement; and millions of families felt the joy of watching baseball together. That is why I am so disappointed about the situation in which our game finds itself today. Despite the league’s best efforts to make a deal with the Players Association, we were unable to extend our 26 year-long history of labor peace and come to an agreement with the MLBPA before the current CBA expired. Therefore, we have been forced to commence a lockout of Major League players, effective at 12:01am ET on December 2. I want to explain to you how we got here and why we have to take this action today. Simply put, we believe that an offseason lockout is the best mechanism to protect the 2022 season. We hope that the lockout will jumpstart the negotiations and get us to an agreement that will allow the season to start on time. This defensive lockout was necessary because the Players Association’s vision for Major League Baseball would threaten the ability of most teams to be competitive. It’s simply not a viable option. From the beginning, the MLBPA has been unwilling to move from their starting position, compromise, or collaborate on solutions. When we began negotiations over a new agreement, the Players Association already had a contract that they wouldn’t trade for any other in sports. Baseball’s players have no salary cap and are not subjected to a maximum length or dollar amount on contracts. In fact, only MLB has guaranteed contracts that run 10 or more years, and in excess of $300 million. We have not proposed anything that would change these fundamentals. While we have heard repeatedly that free agency is “broken” – in the month of November $1.7 billion was committed to free agents, smashing the prior record by nearly 4x. By the end of the offseason, Clubs will have committed more money to players than in any offseason in MLB history. We worked hard to find compromise while making the system even better for players, by addressing concerns raised by the Players Association. We offered to establish a minimum payroll for all clubs to meet for the first time in baseball history; to allow the majority of players to reach free agency earlier through an age-based system that would eliminate any claims of service time manipulation; and to increase compensation for all young players, including increases in the minimum salary. When negotiations lacked momentum, we tried to create some by offering to accept the universal Designated Hitter, to create a new draft system using a lottery similar to other leagues, and to increase the Competitive Balance Tax threshold that affects only a small number of teams. We have had challenges before with respect to making labor agreements and have overcome those challenges every single time during my tenure. Regrettably, it appears the Players Association came to the bargaining table with a strategy of confrontation over compromise. They never wavered from collectively the most extreme set of proposals in their history, including significant cuts to the revenue-sharing system, a weakening of the competitive balance tax, and shortening the period of time that players play for their teams. All of these changes would make our game less competitive, not more. To be clear: this hard but important step does not necessarily mean games will be cancelled. In fact, we are taking this step now because it accelerates the urgency for an agreement with as much runway as possible to avoid doing damage to the 2022 season. Delaying this process further would only put Spring Training, Opening Day, and the rest of the season further at risk – and we cannot allow an expired agreement to again cause an in-season strike and a missed World Series, like we experienced in 1994. We all owe you, our fans, better than that. Today is a difficult day for baseball, but as I have said all year, there is a path to a fair agreement, and we will find it. I do not doubt the League and the Players share a fundamental appreciation for this game and a commitment to its fans. I remain optimistic that both sides will seize the opportunity to work together to grow, protect, and strengthen the game we love. MLB is ready to work around the clock to meet that goal. I urge the Players Association to join us at the table. Manfred Read a letter from the Commissioner: https://t.co/P4gRGSlfsu pic.twitter.com/zI40uGLTni — MLB (@MLB) December 2, 2021 Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/34uIGf762W — MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) December 2, 2021
Posts: 68,662

12-02-2021, 10:57 AM	#46
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $1466717	This ain't pre-2000. There are about 100 activities you could be doing these days far better than watching a baseball game. The sport only shines in the post season.
Posts: 14,411	1 0

12-02-2021, 12:37 PM	#50
Mama Hip Rockets You don't faze me, Gobble. Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $9915644	Imagine having that many billion dollars and not being able to figure out a way to divide them.
Posts: 13,675

12-02-2021, 12:38 PM	#51
WarChiefs89 Starter Join Date: Jan 2019 Casino cash: $9580365	Someone in politics should steal the speech writer from the Commish. The statement issued is actually pretty persuasive. The amount MLB players can get paid on a guaranteed level is kind of crazy when you think about it. Much better for the players than NFL contracts that have short guarantees... This will get hammered out soon IMO. Too much $$$ involved for these MLB guys to forgo it. And the ones that aren't making big $$$ need that year of service time to keep going in order to get closer to the big payday.
Posts: 45	1 0

12-02-2021, 12:40 PM	#52
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $-727094	The fact that the NFL Hall of Fame Game... a preseason game... gets comparable TV ratings to World Series games says everything about how irrelevant baseball has become.
Posts: 50,213	1 0

12-02-2021, 12:51 PM	#54
MarkDavis'Haircut MVP Join Date: Aug 2017 Casino cash: $2780400	As a Pirates fan, baseball is pretty much unwatchable. If they want to play dumb over billions of dollars, so be it. I will find other ways to use my time. All parties are awful in this spat but the MLBPA is easily the worst union in sports. They don't understand the concept of compromise.
Posts: 15,972

12-02-2021, 12:53 PM	#55
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $-727094	When was the last time anyone here watched a regular season baseball game from start to finish on TV? It's completely unwatchable for a variety of reasons.
Posts: 50,213	1 1

12-02-2021, 02:31 PM	#57
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $-920000	__________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
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